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No worries for Southgate

Gareth Southgate insists that there isn't too much wrong with how Middlesbrough are playing.

By Graeme Bailey

Last Updated: 03/10/08 10:06am

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists that there is not too much wrong with how the team are playing.

Boro enjoyed a very good start to the new season and Southgate was named Manager of the Month in August.

But since winning the honour for the first time since becoming a manager, Southgate has seen his side lose four matches in succession.

But the Boro insists there is no need for anyone to be panicking.

"We are six games into the season and the majority of the lads are playing extremely well," he said.

"There are one or two who aren't at their very best by their own high standards, but that will come because that class is permanent and the form is temporary.

"We had 20-odd shots on goal last week [against West Brom], so there isn't a lot wrong.

"But obviously when you lose matches, everything in this league is analysed to death and you have to come up with solutions, and very often, those solutions are a bit more straightforward than all the conspiracy theories that go on.

"It's nothing to do with our style of play or personnel, it's taking the chances that are given."

Turnbull delight

Meanwhile, Southgate has backed Ross Turnbull after the 23-year-old emerged as his No.1 choice in goal ahead of Brad Jones.

"He has a good temperament and he is relishing the challenge and doing very well," said Southgate.

"He's not fazed by things and he's realistic, he knows for the goal last week he would like to have done better.

"But if you put that into perspective, that's from three or four performances.

"If I didn't think he could cope with it, I would not have done it.

"There were lots of goals last weekend that were the faults of the keepers, but within Middlesbrough things are analysed more because of the decision to go with a young keeper. I'm still very comfortable with it.

"People think footballers don't care, but people don't know what it is like to go out there and live with a mistake. You never seem to enjoy the highs quite as much as you hate the lows."